Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has stated that MVR 7 million has been utilized by the Foreign Ministry for official visits to foreign nations thus far this year, and the outcome of the visits have been fruitful.
Speaking at the parliament on Wednesday, Minister Shahid said the weekly expenditure of the government is publicized weekly by the Finance Ministry, including the expenses incurred for official visits abroad. Shahid revealed that MR 7.5 million has been utilized from the Foreign Ministry;s budget since the new government began administration.
Responding to criticism aimed by the opposition, Shahid said the during the previous government's administration, Foreign Ministry spent MVR 27 million from the national budget last year. While the previous government received MVR 1.9 billion in grant aid in four years, the current government has succeeded in securing the same amount within the first three months of administration, added Shahid.
"President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration is transparent. We have nothing to hide. The [public] is aware of all the official visits because th government has been sharing the details of the visits, the meetings that take place, and the funds received", said Shahid.
Minister Shahid stated that he has visited 19 countries since he assumed his position as the Foreign Minister, and met with presidents of seven counties and prime ministers of six countries. He also met with the foreign ministers of 33 countries and ambassadors from 48 countries, he added.
Shahid said as a result of the governments efforts and foreign visits, representatives from 35 counties and 28 organizations attended the Partnership Forum recently held in the Maldives. The minister also revealed that the Vice President of the European Union (EU) Frans Timmermans will be visiting the Maldives next month, noting that this is the first time an EU official of such high rank is visiting the Maldives.
Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid speaking at the Parliament
